Hey! Sorry for the delay in updating. I just got out of a midterm-packed week and didn't really get much time to sleep, much less update a fanfic. Hope you enjoy this chapter though and I'll update again tomorrow with Draco's half (it's almost done!). Thanks for all your wonderful reviews and any advice is welcome! D
"All first years, this way" hurried Hermione as she ushered the last of the newcomers out of the boats and towards the grand hall. She would occasionally catch a glimpse of the silvery yellow mass of hair of her fellow head boy as he too did his best to direct the other first years, if only in a slightly more forceful manner. 'I wonder if he read the note' she pondered to herself, along with the somewhat annoyed self reproaching: 'What in Merlin's name was I thinking!' She tried her best to ignore the sinking feeling that, however well meant it had been, this entire year was doomed to go from bad to worst. And if the train ride was any indication of it, she was sure as hell not going to enjoy it.
Eventually, they stood side by side in front of the mass of first years, helping each step forward when called upon by McGonnagal for the sorting ceremony. She dared to spare Malfoy a quick glance only to find him quite unabashedly staring back. Shocked, she forced herself to stare at the ugly, worn down, Sorting Hat, pushing aside the feeling that his eyes still bore into her. 'Yes', she concluded dryly. 'I think it's safe to say he did read it'. Thankfully, they were both soon sent to their house tables to join their companions for the Welcoming Feast. The yellow haired boy was forcefully expelled from her thoughts to be replaced by Harry's random chit-chat on Quidditch and Ron's random comments and lowsy jokes. Ginny, however, was not going to let her off the hook so easily.
"I see you are done with the self-pity 'I'm such a horrible person' rambles" commented the red head, making Hermione glare at her in response. "You know it's true. Regardless, this means I can stop being the 'nice friend who listens and says nothing'... so?" The muggle born girl looked up at her with eyes the feigned ignorance. "Oh come on! Spill! Why did you cover for that slimy ferret?"
"It seemed like the right thing to do" she replied, taking great care not to be overheard by the rest of her house members. "I mean, we do have to work together this years... it was just a small gesture. Too bad I blew it afterwards by snapping at him like I did".
"Oh no! Miss. Self Pity and Regret is not allowed back here" said Ginny. "Takes the fun out of pestering you with my questions!". Hermione giggled at her inquisitive friend, all too certain that the red head would become the next Rita Skeeter at this rate.
"I apologized to him, you know..." she added, only to see her best friend's jaw drop to the floor. "What? Didn't we agree my comments were uncalled for? That the best thing was to take them back?"
"Wow wow wow... stop right there!" said the youngest Weasley, leaning forwards on the table, her face still frozen in shock. "I said that it was great and noble that you wanted forgiveness, and that you were willing to even forgive him. I never said you should actually go up to the twit and apologize! I mean, Hermione! I though you were smarter than that!" She let out a deep sigh, as if to catch her breath before continuing. "Whatever. Considering memory charms are out of the question, we'll deal. So, what did he say?"
"Nothing" she replied, blushing. "Ergh, I didn't exactly apologize in person. More like, send him a note telling him as much... Which wasn't the brightest idea, come to think of it, since he can now keep that note and use it against me. I can just hear him showing off to his friends on how I begged for his forgiveness or something. Damn, for all and classes here, I can be real dumb sometimes."
"Not gonna disagree with you there" said Ginny, but her smile was sympathetic. "You did a good thing, much more than he deserves. And if it at least helped you let go of what you'd said, I think it was worth it. Let's just hope the git has some decency and keeps things to himself".
